I just wanted to thank her: Juggun Kazim

Earlier this year, television host Juggun Kazim faced backlash for causing unintended offence. The crime? Kissing the hand of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi in an interview when thanking the police officer for her efforts to tackle violence against women.

Almost immediately, viewers took to their keyboards to take Juggun to task, with many accusing the host of showing unnecessary gratitude in a transparent attempt to curry favour with a member of the police force.

"[I am going to] unsubscribe [from] your channel now after this kissing on her hand," read one comment. Echoing similar sentiments, another user penned, "Fake and planted". Yet another added, "Why is she kissing her hand? She is a police officer and just doing her job. She hasn't done something amazing. Juggun, stop over-acting."

Those who were not criticising Juggun's interviewing skills commented on her supposed lack of partiality, claiming that Juggun's guest must be related to her brother-in-law and politician Mohsin Naqvi. "They are all from the same family," wrote a commenter. "I am unsubscribing on moral grounds."

Now, in a recent appearance on Ahmad Ali Butt's podcast, Juggun reflected on the unexpected vitriol she faced for what she had presumed was an innocent gesture. "I am a very affectionate person," admitted Juggun. "You would have seen that from my shows."

Refuting the accusation that she was related to her guest, Juggun added, "You would have noticed that I was very formal and reserved in that interview. It was because I met her for the first time that day. I had never met her before, and I am not related to her."

Explaining why she was moved to kiss Shehrbano's hand, Juggun reminded viewers of her own trauma from a past abusive relationship. Juggun has previously shared painful revelations of how she remained a victim of domestic violence in her first marriage for a year and a half until she walked out with her child in tow.

"You know how I've been abused in a previous relationship," noted Juggun. "She [Shehrbano] is someone who took a stand for women. No one had stood up for me like this, no woman, no man. All I wanted to do was thank someone. I swear that I had no other agenda. I was just being nice."

Whether Juggun's reassurances serve to placate followers is a different matter altogether.